Georgia's Premier Coastal Birding Festival
Friday, April 11—Saturday, April 12, 2025
Crooked River State Park — St. Marys, GA
Join us April 11-12, 2025 for our second annual birding festival
Welcome to the Woodstork Birding Festival at Crooked River State Park, where the magic of Georgia's avian wonders comes to life in a celebration of nature and community. Hosted by the Camden County Audubon, the Woodstork Festival is a Saturday filled with expert-led birding programs, artisanal crafts, ranger-led kayak paddles and much more. For our second festival, we have added a VIB (Very Important Birders) dinner on Friday night for our sponsors.
This festival is more than an event; it's a unique blend of education, adventure, and conservation. Come connect with nature, support birding opportunities, and contribute to the protection of our feathered friends and their habitats in this unforgettable outdoor experience.
Entry to the state park and festival is free,
but a $5 parking pass is required for each vehicle.
Some activities require reservations and a fee.
Event headquarters:
Crooked River State Park
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy
St. Marys, GA 31558
RETURNING IN 2025
Raptor Program from GSU's Center for Wildlife Education
This is a presentation you won't want to miss! Student handlers will teach the crowd about Georgia's native birds of prey as they fly above at close range.
According to the Georgia Southern University website: "The idea for the (Wildlife Center) began in 1990 with the misidentification of a large bird flying over Paulson Stadium. As Georgia Southern University’s football team was about to win their fourth national championship, a television camera focused on a bird flying overhead, and the sports announcer called it a bald eagle. In fact, it was just a turkey vulture. Afterwards, Harry Mathews, a University supporter and outdoors enthusiast, decided Georgia Southern should have a bald eagle on campus. Master falconer, Steve Hein, was contacted and the search began. From the quest for a bald eagle, the Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center as seen today was created.
"Since its opening in 1997, the Center for Wildlife Education has grown into one of the leading environmental education facilities in Georgia. The mission of the Center is to provide wildlife encounters for school children and citizens of this region, successfully measured by over 17,500 children and adults educated on-site annually. Additionally, the Center takes its programs 'on the road,' presenting over 100 off-site programs annually. With the use of live animal ambassadors, program participants are educated on numerous species of wildlife native to Georgia, their habitats, and the impact humans have on the environment."
Presentation is FREE to the public. (Parking fee is $5 per car at Crooked River State Park.)
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Events returning to the 2025 festival
Rookery Tour
One of the ways in which we provide exceptional value is through the wide range of features that we offer. Our team created them to provide every customer with the best possible experience. The 2024 Woodstork Festival includes a tour of the Rookery at Cumberland Inlet. This off-site birding experience explores the former Gilman paper mill site in downtown St. Marys. This special event is available for an additional fee. Up to two children under 12 can accompany one paid adult. Pre-registration is not yet available.
Boat Tour
Glide through the serene waterways surrounding the park offering a unique perspective on birdwatching. Led by knowledgeable rangers, these tours provide an exclusive opportunity to witness diverse avian species in their natural habitat. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the landscape while learning about the fascinating behaviors of the birds that call the park home. Don't miss the chance to connect with nature and support birding opportunities in this picturesque setting. Pre-registration is not yet available.
Birding Hikes
Discover the vibrant birdlife of Crooked River State Park with our free ranger-led birding hikes during the festival. Join the rangers while exploring the diverse species that inhabit the park. Enhance your birdwatching skills, connect with nature, and support conservation efforts, all at no cost. Lace up your hiking boots for a short, enriching, and cost-free birding experience in Georgia's scenic landscapes. All birding hikes will begin at the Nature Center. No preregistration is required!
Kayak Paddle
Experience an immersive kayak paddle designed for nature lovers and birding enthusiasts during the festival. Connect with the rich birdlife of the Georgia coast and celebrate the unique ecosystems of the area. Join us for a memorable journey that supports birding opportunities in this stunning natural setting. Secure your spot for an unforgettable paddle that combines the love for Georgia's coastal beauty and the joy of birding. Pre-registration is not yet available.
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CAMDEN COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
As the organizing sponsor for Woodstork 2025, Camden County Audubon strives to educate others about the many species of birds in the region and how birding can be beneficial to one's physical and mental health. We also hope to instill in others a deep value of these species and an appreciation for the conservation programs are helping to maintain and grow our bird populations across the globe. We hope you will join us!